How often have you heard a husband, friend, family member or anyone else say, “She doesn’t work.” in reference to a woman/wife/mom who “stays at home”? Hey, you may have even said it about someone else or yourself. I know I did. Notice the past tense there….”I did”. I don’t any longer. Do you wanna know why? Because women who are “at home” do work. I mean….they really work. And not just 9-5. They just don’t draw a paycheck from an outside source or get paid nearly enough for all the work they do.

I learned many years ago that having a job outside the home with a regular paycheck is not what defines me. No more than being a wife, mother, home educator, ministry leader, writer, professional cosmetics formulator and hand producer or an entrepreneur defines me. Those are not WHO I am. They are not even WHAT I am. They are roles I fill. I just happen to do all of them at home because I choose to.

This is the entire premise of “At Home Woman”. When the idea came to me (no doubt inspired by God) to start At Home Woman, it was because I kept getting asked “Do you work?”, “What do you do?” and a plether of other questions and comments about working, having a job or a career. It seems someone was consistently trying to pin a label on me as a “SAHM/SAHW”, a “WAHM/WAHW” or some other term of the hour. And 9 times out of 10, it was usually implied that I had less value and didn’t “work” because I didn’t have “a job” outside the home. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was none of those trendy titles and yet I was all of them…and then some. I just knew there were probably others out there just like me who were working from early morning to late at night at home, filling more roles than they could count most days. And many of them were likely feeling just like me…unappreciated, under-valued and unsupported in what they do and why they do it.

So, At Home Woman was born in a matter of about 8 hours, from original concept to social media community to this blog and beyond, AHW became a safe haven for those of us who fill the many roles set before us and do so by choice. With it came the deep desire to connect with other women filling the roles in life from an at home setting, to support and encourage one another, share our faith and struggles and to be real with one another about the challenges we face and the successes we enjoy every day.

This last September, AHW turned 3 years old. It’s been an interesting experience to say the least. We haven’t grown a lot in numbers since that first year, but we have seen support from many all across the USA and from a few surprising sources. One thing has become very evident. Many are realizing that without those of us who “DON’T WORK”, there would be very little getting done that makes life enjoyable and comfortable and that life as many know it would cease to exist. I’m not exaggerating here.

So give yourself a pat on the back, at home woman. Treat yourself to a nice relaxing bubble bath and a piece of decadent chocolate. Rejoice in knowing you are more needed than you ever imagined and more valuable than gold, silver or fine jewels. God has called you to a higher purpose than just having a job. He’s called you to be an at home woman doing the work that others can’t or won’t do. He’s called you to nurture and be a catalyst for the present and the future. Because it is in those roles and doing those jobs that lives, families, homes and communities are being impacted and changed. YOU, my dear, are working for a greater purpose. You are working for the kingdom of God. And it shows.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all is well in your at home world. Well, here we are. Two weeks into 2015. Really?! Didn’t we just watch the ball drop? You know, it’s almost scary how fast time seems to go as I get older. There’s just no way I’m 47 and that this year marks 30 years since I graduated high school. Impossible! Time. That’s what’s on my mind today. Specifically, what we are doing with the time we have.

Many of you know that aside from taking care of the At Home Woman community, I also am a home educator and a small business entrepreneur. Needless to say, between my collection of jobs as a homemaker, wife, mother, teacher, entrepreneur, author and ministry leader, my time is not my own. Seriously, not even 30 minutes a day are “just mine”. Honestly, I haven’t taken any “time off” from the business in a handful of years and we home school year round with mostly single day or short mini-breaks from lessons so I needed this reprieve badly. In December, I decided to take a few weeks off. I planned to take some of that down time to get ready for our second half of the school year and cross a few much-needed behind the scenes business missions off my list. Yep, that was the plan! What is it they say about the best laid plains? Here’s how it’s gone down, folks.

December 11, 2014 through December 28, 2014: We took a little trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood (a family favorite getaway spot) to see the lights and enjoy some cold outdoor time. We relaxed and ate holiday food favorites. We watched Christmas and family movies. We played. We enjoyed being a family who actually likes each other and being together. I read….not just articles either. Oh, how I’ve missed that! I vegged out and did as little as possible. It was wonderful! Of course, the big mister (my husband) had a few days off for the holidays themselves and weekends but worked all days other than those. So most days were just the little mister, the dog and me doing our thing. And then we had the quartet of family love and fun in the evenings. Ahhh! Can you say “Mama’s in pure domestic heaven.”?

We took down the tree the day after Christmas. It was a few days later that I actually began putting furniture back in its place or found a new spot for it as I rearranged for a change-up. I do that…changing my surroundings by moving furniture around. I cleaned and cooked as usual since that is a never ending must.

December 29, 2014 through January 4, 2015: Time to get off my tushie to attack my plan. Gently, of course. Don’t want to over do it, ya’ know? So I fiddled with a new daily schedule for home, school and business. When you have so much that needs your attention, you need organization and some semblance of a plan. A while back, I had created a color coded 7 day schedule with task blocks for each area laying out what to do in each area on specific days of the week and daily or monthly task section plus a daily missions time management sheet for myself and the little mister. But it needed to be adjusted to fit where we are now since my husband changed jobs causing our schedule to change dramatically. I had good bones to work with so this shouldn’t be hard or too mentally taxing. Right? Yes, that’s what I thought too.

I dabbled with the semester education plan and together, my son and I decided we would take on Music and Sign Language in this second half of the school year. WooHoo! OK, what next? Get our school records updated with our homeschooling umbrella, HomeLife Academy. Attendance to date for the 2014/2015 school year, grades for the fall semester, our education plan for the spring semester. An easy task and totally in line with my internal conversation to ease back into active duty. So a few days later…….Yes, I procrastinated. Don’t judge! I sit down to tally up our days of attendance since July. “1, 2, 3……98 days! Over half of our required days for the year. Not to shabby. Quick, write that down in my book. Done! I’ll enter them online with HSA later. I have until January 15th to do it so we’re good.” (All that was me talking to myself during.)

Meanwhile, business missions 1 – 12 were on my mind. Oh honey, don’t be shocked. That’s a drop in the bucket of the actual number of to-do’s for running a business every single day. My list went like this. *Update my product formulation files. *Get my product batch records in order. *Establish a marketing plan for the year. *Do graphic design work. *Take inventory of my stock and supplies. *Source raw materials and supplies. *Get a blogging and newsletter plan laid out. *Website revisions and updates. *New product R & D. *Research trends and customer feedback. *Plan the exciting new customer program that I want to launch in 2015. Not too terribly taxing work, just time-consuming.

We finished taking down the rest of the Christmas decorations and lights, inside and out. Bye-Bye until next year! Things were back to normal in my at home world…minus the pressures of daily business demands. Life was good!

January 5, 2015 through January 12, 2015: We started back with school lessons. Now that was interesting in so many ways. The little mister was not feeling it and neither was I. We were in a cold snap with overcast skies that made it even harder to focus. But we stumbled through that first week back and managed to actually do some of the review I had planned for the days that lead up to the new semester. We’re still in that review, by the way. Along comes the weekend and I remember I still need to log our attendance and grades with HSA. I did that….late on Sunday afternoon. Don’t even ask what I did from Saturday morning until then because it’s unclear to me.

I touched on of the business missions. Yes, I touched my list…picked it up several times in fact. To my credit, I did go beyond the “on my mind” on a few of the tasks and initiated 3 or 4 of the missions. A good start….Yes? Oh yes, ma’am! I was easing back into things so well, don’t you think? *clears throat and gives a spunky wink*

January 13, 2015: Reality kicks in over coffee. The business offices are set to reopen next week. ACK! Oh dear! But I’m not done! I haven’t even started on some of my missions and my 7 day schedule plus the time management sheets are still “in progress”. NOOO! I’m gonna have to dive in the deep end of things and swim fast! Thankfully, school’s mostly back on track with no real smack you in the face issues. Whew! That’s at least something to cheer about.

Oh…did I forget to mention I had also planned to begin walking daily again and add some mild resistance training after the first of the year? I didn’t, huh? Well, just take a wild guess on how that’s gone. Uhh Huhh! I think I actually heard the treadmill snickering and whispering with the resistance bands yesterday. How rude! Plus, I started a daily scripture reading and Bible study discussion with my At Home Woman Sharing Room group yesterday. Hey, have you joined the group yet? Take this as your official invite. I’d love for you to come on over and get in on the study with us from the start.

That’s what I’ve been doing with 2015 so far. Notice I said “with” and not “in”. Two very different words with very different meanings. I’ve been dabbling, getting distracted and making lots of plans but no real progress for the most part. But that is gonna change…TODAY! Alright, I’ve taken enough of your time and I really must get my rear in gear on tackling my mission list. I am determined to manage my time more wisely and take a more proactive and positive approach to my days. Not so much flying by the seat of my pants. No ma’am! I’m gonna do much better with my time because once time is gone, it’s gone. There’s no getting it back. EVER! Will you pray for me as I climb this habit changing mountain and kick it into over-drive to make up for my procrastination these last few weeks. Please and thank you!

So …..what are you doing with 2015? Do you need to make positive changes too? I’d love to hear from you on the subject of time and time management. I invite you to comment or come to the AHW Facebook page to talk about it.

This cake is one that my husband and many of our friends look forward to me making every year. I use fresh, locally grown apples from the apple grower who lives right down the road from us. He has the best apples! As always, I modified the recipe I had found many years ago in our local paper. I adapted it to fit our tastes and in my opinion, make it better than the original recipe. This is my version. I’m telling ya’, it’s like Autumn’s best flavors and aromas all rolled into one amazingly moist and delicious treat.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

3 cups apples, peeled and chopped into bite size chunks (I use Red or Golden Delicious apples because they are sweet and get softer when cooked. But any apple of choice is good.)

DIRECTIONS:

Mix first 5 ingredients until well blended. Sift the next four and add to above. Fold in nuts and apples last. Mix by hand until batter is stiff. Bake in greased and floured Bundt/tube pan in preheated 350 degrees oven for 1 hour or 9″ x 13″ pan for 30 – 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 – 15 minutes to turn the Bundt/tube cake out onto a cake plate.

TIP: You can serve with just a little warmed spice applesauce poured over the slice for extra goodness.

From my at home world to yours…..Enjoy your slice of Autumn! And please let me know how you like this family favorite recipe.

Let’s face it and be real here. Parenting is not easy. In fact, it is the hardest job we will ever have. No one gives us an instruction manual when our children are born. Fact is, they can’t because there isn’t one. Each child is different and each scenario with each child within each family is unique. Good parenting is also not “instant” and “without failure”. We don’t know what we don’t know. We must get “on the job training” for this position that is ongoing and often “on the fly”. Truthfully, we will faulter and miss the mark just like we will find we stumble into a what or a how that is good and works….A LOT.

Yes, there are basic principles and guidelines but all in all, parenting is a whole heap of winging it as we wade through the new and never before experiences to learn how to parent and train our children in the way they should go. We are maturing, learning and growing right along with our kids. I’m not going to lie to you. There are cloudy days, windy days and even stormy days. But there are also days full of sunshine when the sailing is easy. Those tend to be far more and much brighter than you may think while in the midst of the cloudy, windy or stormy days.

Sometimes, parenting will mean we will have to make hard choices. Choices that our heart and mind does not easily embrace, but are necessary for the good of our child, our family, ourselves and the future. And then sometimes, it’s a breeze with no confusion as we ease through one situation to another. Every day brings us moments of “I have never been here before.” with us not knowing what to do or say or how to act and react. That’s okay. It’s all part of the process of learning to parent and our children learning from us. We have to give ourselves and our children grace in the process of learning.

I must also say, contrary to what some may believe, parenting doesn’t really stop when our kids reach 18 years old or graduate from school. It is a lifetime position that we take on from the very first. We still “parent” our kids ling after the wonder and wander years subside. Our position and job description changes a bit as the hands-on guidance, instruction and leadership decreases to a lesser degree as they step up and into their own just like we did. That is the goal, right? To prepare them for adulthood, training and raising them to be an asset to their world and step into their own identity and splendor? That’s how I see it anyways. Truthfully, our children never stop needing us and looking to us for an example. It all just changes in how it looks and how we all go about it. Our role of “parent” shifts from authority to assistant. And here again, we have to give ourselves and our children grace in the shift.

So moms and dads, let me encourage you to stand in the knowledge and understanding that as you grow and learn to parent well, you are not alone and without help or hope. There are solutions and places you can turn to when in need of more to go farther. There is help in times of trouble and sources of encouragement in times of discouragement.

We need wisdom to impart wisdom. Wise counsel can be found in friends and others who are like-minded with compatible values and beliefs. So many in our small part of the world may have been there, done that and are on the other side of the lesson in similar circumstances. This is a great avenue for insight, workable solutions and encouragement if we are willing to lay down our pride and fears, share our hearts and situations honestly. Just being real and vulnerable, asking for advice, help and inspiration can be a solution all on its own.

Without a doubt, wisdom and revelation can be obtained through prayer and most certainly through the word of God. In fact, I personally think these are the sources where all wisdom comes from, even when it comes to us from a vessel with skin on. The word of God is the closest thing to an instruction manual we will ever find for parenting and for living. If you need an answer to a question or a solution to a problem, it is in His word…somewhere. If you just need encouragement, you’ll find that in the pages too.

One of my favorite quotes (shown above) is by the greatly admired Maya Angelou. She said, “When you know better, you do better.” Isn’t that where we all are and what we are all doing? Yes, I think so. I think we are all reaching for the “know better” so we can “do better”. …with parenting and with life in general.

Until next time….enjoy your at home world!

]]>https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/05/28/parenting-the-hardest-job/feed/0neoscreationsWhen we know better....Signature“360 Degrees of Grief, Reflections of Hope” Is Now Availablehttps://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/360-degrees-of-grief-reflections-of-hope-is-now-available/
https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/360-degrees-of-grief-reflections-of-hope-is-now-available/#respondMon, 19 May 2014 23:01:41 +0000http://athomewoman.wordpress.com/?p=1167]]>.

The Release

It’s finally here! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to share with you the long anticipated release of “360 Degrees of Grief, Reflections of Hope”, Volume 1. This the first in a series of anthology books called 360 Degrees coming from Selah Pressand managing editor, Kayla Fioravanti, out of Franklin, Tennessee.

“I’m humbled to be able to share my story with the readers of 360 Degrees of Grief. In my honest opinion, this is by far, one of the most real and hope filled books that one can read.” – Ginger L. Moore

I am very honored to be a contributing author, standing among truly amazing and inspiring people of faith. The list of 64 authors come from many walks of life and include theologians and pastors, like Bruce Fong, dean at Dallas Theological Seminary, and Tom Burgess, executive director of Global Missions International; Christian recording artists likeSteve Green, Wayne Watson, Melodie Tunney and Clay Crosse; entrepreneurs like Bethany Learn, founder and CEO ofFit2B StudioandJoyce Bone,co-founder of the environmental service company, EarthCare. There are established authors such asMary Humphrey and of course Kayla Fioravanti, in addition to educators, performing artists, ministry leaders, life coaches and housewives. Through a myriad of circumstances, the writers open up to share with the reader their first-person accounts of personal, often life changing experiences with grief and the deep heartfelt emotions involved on the way to hope and healing.

Ask and you will receive – Contributing to Hope and Healing

Kayla is a friend, former industry colleague and sister in Christ whom I dearly adore. When she contacted me to ask if I would consider contributing a story to her new book project about grief, I was a little reluctant. OK…I was a lot reluctant. In fact, I did everything to avoid writing a submission even though I felt the Holy Spirit repeatedly guiding me to do just that. I made every excuse you can imagine. Yes, it was a little intimidating to think about being published but mostly, I didn’t want to share what I was feeling deeply compelled to share. It was so very personal and I was not the only player in the story, all of whom I didn’t want to hurt. I did NOT want to put it all in writing and definitely not in a very public and forever out there medium like a book that would be available in hard copy and digital formats. Gasp! I just couldn’t! Could I?

So I ran from it as fast as my short legs could carry me for weeks. I even went so far as to volunteer when Kayla crowd-sourced for editing team members. Whew! I thought to myself…”OK, that will be my contribution to this project INSTEAD of a writtenstory of my own experiences with grief.” But the Lord would not let me off the hook that easily. As I began receiving submissions to proofread and edit, the prompting to submit my own story became even more urgent and undeniable. I finally surrendered and put the experience that I was being led to write on paper, submitting it for review to be included in 360 Degrees of Grief. I must admit, I walked through more healing and restoration as I typed out the words through tears. Yeah, I think God knew that there was more hiding way down deep within me than I had recognized to that point. He is so good like that! My contribution was accepted and now you can find my story of deep healing, “A Garden Full of Grief”, on page 149 of this truly anointed compilation of stories. While my story is not about the loss of a loved one, it is about grief that comes from a different kind of loss, actually a lack that became a deep loss. I pray that it will touch the recesses of each reader and help bring healing and hope to many.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

As a contributing author, I’m happy to announce that I am offering “360 Degrees of Grief” for purchase to my community. I would be blessed and greatly honored to send you a copy of this inspirational work of love, which I will gladly sign for you. The price for your own copy is $14.00 plus shipping. If you would like to order a signed copy directly from me, please feel free to contact me through my ministry email address. Just send me an email with how many you would like to order and a PayPal email address so I can send you an invoice to athomewoman@live.com . I’ll then ship your paperback hard copy directly to your mailing address. Or if you prefer, you can connect with me on the At Home Woman Facebook page and talk directly to me about ordering. I had other plans to make the book available to you for purchase but I have had a few computer problems of late which has prevented me from being able to list the book on the Facebook page shop tab or my website for direct purchase. So for right now, this is the avenue for purchasing directly from me.

Guess what I’ll be doing (in spurts, of course) this week and probably over the next few weeks too? Yes ma’am, that time of year has rolled around again. It’s time to start clearing out the winter yuck and freshening up my castle for the warm weather months. The At Home Spring CleanFest has begun!

At Home Woman Spring CleanFestSpring Cleaning On The Cheap

You Know You Love It….NOT!

Honest show of hands. Who likes to clean, especially spring cleaning? Ahh! I didn’t think so. No, I’m not raising my hand either. Honestly, there are many other things I would rather do. But I know me well enough to know that I need it clean around here for my own sanity, for my family to stay healthy and for us to be able to really relax and enjoy our space and our work within that space. I know from experience that the seriously deep floor to ceiling, nook and cranny cleaning throughout the house at least once a year makes it easier to keep the home clean in shorter amounts of time every other day of the year.

Save Time & Money

With a busy schedule, little spare time available and the rising cost of everything, including traditional harsh and sometimes toxic chemical cleaning products, it can be difficult and expensive to keep a home clean. Like most of you, I have (and want) to save time and money. Over the years, I’ve found ways of cleaning and disinfecting easier, quicker, greener and much cheaper on my wallet.

At Home Tips Feature

As part of the new At Home Tips feature , I’ll be sharing several of my clean on the cheap tips and recipes with you. Hopefully, you’ll love ’em and find them helpful. I invite you to pass this article on to others who may love it too.

Clean On The Cheap Shopping List

You only need to keep some inexpensive (and BTW, non-toxic) items on hand to clean and disinfect your entire home. They are very effective, green and will save you a bundle of money.

Yeah…fun! I say that with tongue in cheek. Anyways…..Here’s a few of my favorite cheap DIY cleaning recipes for the kitchen and bathroom to start y’all off on your own Spring CleanFest.

General Purpose Disinfecting Spray Cleanser

¼ cup white vinegar

¼ cup isopropyl alcohol

Distilled water

5-15 drops of essential oil (optional)

Pour vinegar, alcohol, and essential oil into sprayer bottle. Fill with distilled water. Shake to mix well. Use this spray for general, regular cleaning of countertops, tub, shower and toilet exteriors, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, shower doors, appliance exteriors, inside your microwave, oven, refrigerator, light switches, telephones, door knobs and practically every hard, non-wood surface in the house. Use the cloth diapers or a microfiber cloth for this and a dry cloth for buffing if desired.

Sudsy Scouring Paste

1 cup baking soda

1 TBSP grated Fels Naphtha soap

6-8 TBSP isopropyl alcohol

Enough distilled water to create a paste the thickness of pancake batter

5-15 drops of essential oil (optional)

Mix ingredients in a bowl or measuring cup using an old spoon or wooden craft stick to stir until smooth. Pour into a bottle with a cap if desired. Use this sudsy scouring paste to clean tubs, showers, bathroom tile and sinks throughout the house, glass stove tops, etc., pouring small amounts directly onto cloth diaper, micro-fiber cloth or onto a nylon bath puff for extra scrubbiness. Rinse well and buff with clean, dry cloth if desired.

Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner

2-5 denture cleansing tablets

1 TBSP grated Fels Naphtha soap

1/2 Cup boiling hot water

1/4 Cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol

Mix grated soap into boiling hot water to melt soap flakes and make a liquid soap. Let soap dissolve completely, stirring gently to mix. Pour into toilet bowl water. Add your denture cleansing tablets to the bowl of soapy water. This will fizz and foam up. Pour 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol into bowl for disinfecting. Scrub inside bowl with a toilet brush, swirling the foamy solution on all the surfaces, even under the rim. Allow to sit for 15-25 minutes. Flush to rinse.

TIP: Use this same cleaner to clean and freshen the inside of your dishwasher. Pour double amount of baking soda with essential oil into powder reservoirs and on the dishwasher floor. Pour double the vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher over the soda. After fizzing stops, run the washer through a full cycle on the hottest water setting.

BONUS TIP: Use this same cleaner recipe, at 2x-3x the amounts, to clean the inside of your washing machine. Just fill the washer with hot water, add baking soda, vinegar and essential oil (optional). Allow it to soak for 30 minutes, wipe down surfaces that the water doesn’t reach with a cloth or scrubby pad saturated with the water solution in the washer tub, then run washer through a heavy duty setting cycle.

This is a good start to your adventure in cleaning on the cheap. I’ll be sharing more tips.

.

Are you excited to try these and save some serious money? I’d love to hear from you about how you clean on the cheap. Share your DIY cleaning recipes, tips and tricks and they may get featured on the blog with all credit going to you. You’re name in lights forever on the internet with hundreds, maybe even thousands seeing it and thanking your for such a great tip. You want that, right?

.

I look forward to hearing from you, at home woman!

Ginger Moore

.

Join me in the At Home Woman Facebook community or follow on Twitter for fun, faith, conversation and quick tips while we get real in our at home worlds.

]]>https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/spring-cleaning-on-the-cheap-part-1/feed/0neoscreationsAt Home Woman Spring CleanFest Spring Cleaning On The CheapHELP! My Brain Has Fallen And It Won’t Get Up!https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/help-my-brain-has-fallen-and-it-wont-get-up/
https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/help-my-brain-has-fallen-and-it-wont-get-up/#respondThu, 20 Feb 2014 20:00:41 +0000http://athomewoman.wordpress.com/?p=1159]]>OK y’all…I’ve got to admit, sitting down to write a blog post has been a booger to nail down. In fact, I can’t say that I’ve come anywhere near nailing it. Here’s what’s going on and where I’m at. My hope is that not only am I not an odd duck out on this but that somewhere, someone will have insight and inspiration to share.

Have you ever thought about how you think? No this isn’t a trick question. It’s not some mental evaluation or a deeply insightful ideology either. It’s just me getting real about what I often experience in my at home world. Here’s an example of how my thought streams often take shape.

Just today, it went something like……

“I need to get an At Home Woman blog post written and ready to post. How can I possible add anything new, fresh, unexplored? What hasn’t been covered by anyone or anywhere? What could I expand on from another perspective? All those fabulous woman’s life and homeschool bloggers I follow offer so much in the way of motivation and inspiring content. I don’t have as much to offer because I don’t have as much experience in (fill in the blank). I’ll troll the internet to see what jumps out at me. When did that cobweb get there? *Achoo* I need to dust….and vacuum. Gosh, is that a Cheerio under the couch? Ewww….what is that hairy thing under the table? Goodness gracious! Miss Dottie sure does shed a lot for this time of year! I need to do some major cleaning and like….uhhh….YESTERDAY. I really need to get more work on my new website done so my designer can do what she does. WOOHOO! More thinking that has to be done! Uhhh….NOT!?! Oh look at that a cute pic (insert friend’s name here) posted on Facebook! Wow….She sure is looking good! Oh, I wish I had known about that show earlier. I bet it would have been a good one. LOL! He’s more of a drama queen than most teen girls! Dang it! I’ve been sucked into the Facebook Vortex! I should clear all these notes and clutter off my ottoman. Oh dear! I have so many files to transfer to this new laptop that the sweetest At Home Man ever born bought me for Valentine’s Day. GEEZ! Writer’s block sucks and blows all at the same time! My idea bank is just completely empty. Oh, I should reply to that tweet. I need to get my bookwork done. I really need to reformulate that product. I want to get those new graphics and designs done soon. I better check emails while I’m on here. Oh, I really want to paint this room. A nice green would be pretty! That’s a good article. Maybe there’s some potential there. What should I make for supper? Hey that looks like another really good article. I’ll click the link to check it out. “Honey, go check on Little Man. He’s being awfully quiet.” What in the world can I write about this time? Crap! This link is taking forever to load. Hit the stop and refresh buttons! Yes! That made it load right up. Oh, I need to go put sour cream on the grocery list. ”

A WOMAN’S BRAIN IS LIKE A COMPUTER WITH 20 WINDOWS OR TABS OPEN ALL AT ONCE.

UGH! I need an intervention….or a brain defragmenting!

Seem vaguely familiar to you? Do you see the problem? SCATTERED THINKING! In every are of my life and on every level….and all at once it seems! I have been going back and forth between professional and personal when I sit down or stand up to do anything these last few days. That is just part of being an at home woman, right?

Seems like the more I have to do, the more my thinking gets scattered about and I lose focus. The more pressures I feel and tentacles there are pulling on me, the more it tends to happen. Oh….I see you nodding your head over there. It happens to you too, doesn’t it? I thought so. It’s not unusual when you think about it. You have a busy life with responsibilities to attend to with home, family, business, school, extra-curricular activities and just life in general.

Truth is we are inundated with information and responsibilities from all sides. For me, the list just seems to grow and grow…like the blob creature from outer space. There’s articles to read, social media to do, local events to attend, lessons to prepare and teach, family situations to tend to, home life to live (laundry, cleaning, meals, finances, pets, etc.). There’s friends to engage with, company needs and entrepreneur tasks that need to to be dealt with (that list is just too long to even try to write here), ministry and church to focus on, local-national-world news to at least have an inkling about. All this can make for BRAIN OVERLOAD, which often results in scattered thinking. And it is not easy to deal with or overcome. What to do about it, is the question.

Instead of giving out instructions and assignments in today’s article, I want you all to lend your expertise to this at home woman. Oh….you thought I had some clever, insightful and meaningful words for you, huh? LOL…remember….I’m experiencing brain overload and scattered thinking right now.

So tell us…At Home Woman. How do you overcome scattered thinking? What ways have you found to be effective when you need to refresh your brain? Do you close out some open windows to decrease information downloads? Do you step away and let time be on your side? Do you prioritize? Make lists or schedules?

Just what can you share that will help all of us with brain overload and scattered thinking? The platform is yours. Ready – GO!

]]>https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/help-my-brain-has-fallen-and-it-wont-get-up/feed/0neoscreationsBRAIN OVERLOADSignatureUnconventional Hot Cyber Monday Dealshttps://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/unconventional-hot-cyber-monday-deals/
https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/unconventional-hot-cyber-monday-deals/#commentsMon, 02 Dec 2013 15:30:56 +0000http://athomewoman.wordpress.com/?p=1154]]>Who’s ready to shop today? If you’re like me, you’ve been shopping already but I wanted to share a few Cyber Monday deals being offered that are a bit unconventional but I consider them HOT. These are small businesses and friends who are simply fantastic. I am sure you’ll be glad I’ve introduced you to them.

ECO-OFFICE GALS – Jennifer Smith, WordPress Guru Extraordinaire

Jennifer is offering steep discounts on her Monthly WordPress Maintenance subscription package which includes regular updates of all existing WordPress, Theme & Plugins. This offer is good through Monday, December 2, 2013. Not only will you get a substantial discount on 1 site (regularly $60 per site), but you will receive additional multi-site discounts!

In addition to her own Cyber Monday deals, Jennifer has a couple of web hosts that she recommends who are also offering big discounts today.

Don’t have a website but you need one? Jennifer does that too. She can build you a custom designed website for your blog, your business or your online shop. I highly recommend Jennifer and her skills. She’s fabulous to work with and doesn’t hold you or your site for the ransom of your first born or your life savings.

PEACOCK POTTERY – Leah Derewics, Polish Pottery Expert

Check out what my friend and fellow small business peep, Leah is offering. Black Friday / Cyber Monday specials with prices slashed 30 – 50%! The sale prices are good through Friday, December 6th.

On top of the deep discounts, Leah offers Free Shipping on orders over $125.00, Free Gift Wrapping is always available upon request on every purchase and she always includes a Free Gift with every purchase.

If you are not familiar with Polish pottery, let me tell you….this stuff is fantastic. It’s gorgeous and functional, able to go from oven to your table flawlessly, is dishwasher safe, very good quality and durable.

There’s also non-cooking pieces available such as home decor type pottery and right now, the most beautiful Polish pottery ornaments. Start your own collection or start a collection for someone and begin adding to their kitchen, dining room table and china cabinet each year.

Let’s shift gears just a bit here and turn toward kids and parenting.

.

LISTEN TO ME PLEASE – Ava Parnass

Ava, a.k.a. “The Kid Whisperer” and her team of impressive licensed child specialists, authors and illustrators take parents on a journey of discovery through parenting as they help you learn how to really listen to your children and understand your child’s development, behavior and emotions. These folks are experts in their field who turn the hardest job in the world into a meaningful adventure with their books, music and more.

Listen To Me Please is offering 15 % off any product when you sign up for their newsletter. Ava told me that you can email her for the 15% off discount code once you’ve signed up for the newsletter. The address should be on the website.

Wikki Stix

Wikki Stix Ornament Kit – $6.00 website only offer. Only 25 left as of the last time I checked for this posting.

Nothing says Happy Holidays like a one of a kind ornament handmade by the kiddos. This fun project kit comes with a flat bright Christmas red resin ornament, 12 Wikki Stix in gold, green, red and blue and a red ribbon hanger, all in a festive holiday gift bag. You’ll love it. The kids will love it. And they make cherished gifts.

While you’re there, be sure to check all the products for other engaging products that will make great gifts for the kids in your life.

Until next time….enjoy your at home world!

]]>https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/unconventional-hot-cyber-monday-deals/feed/1neoscreationsMuffin Baker - 440Serving Bowl - Large - 560Trivet - YBChristmas Ball - 25dSoap Dispenser -Celtic IvyPolish Pottery Christmas Tree Luminary Direct from Ceramika Artystyczna, Boleslawiec, Poland Photo property of Peacock PotterySignatureDay 28…..And Beyondhttps://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/day-28-and-beyond/
https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/day-28-and-beyond/#commentsFri, 29 Nov 2013 17:57:12 +0000http://athomewoman.wordpress.com/?p=1093]]>Day 28, the last day of this personal challenge I gave myself. It’s OK that I’m not getting it out until day 29. Right? Please say YES because truthfully, I was so full from food and pure contentment yesterday that even my fingers didn’t want to move. You too? Be honest now!

Although I didn’t post an #IntentionallyThankful article, the attitude of gratitude was ever present on my mind and heart. This challenge has awakened a higher level of faith, grace awareness and renewal in me. It has given me a different perspective than before. Hey, that’s what it was supposed to do, right? I just didn’t know when I started this personal project how big and bold it would become in me. Nor did I realize how it would impact my family and especially my son, who now insists that we share a thankful tidbit during our bedtime routine right along with our Bible story reading and cuddles. Yes ma’am, I’d say that is a SCORE and a WIN!

As I bustled around my kitchen, cooking, cleaning up and serving my family this year (as I do every year), I was never more aware of how truly blessed I really am and just how much I’m loved by the Almighty God, creator and provider of everything. So much so that I found myself needing to keep a hanky handy as the reality of the hugeness of God and his goodness overwhelmed me over and over. Do you have any idea how weird it probably is to be slathering melted butter on a naked turkey and suddenly start squawling because you are overcome with the realization that God loves you so much, He made sure this fine creature was born and lived so that you could one day eat it? Yeah, it’s been like that!

So on this day, 29 days after I started this journey of looking for and purposely noting the blessings instead of focusing on difficulties and adversities, I can honestly say that I am thankful…..FOR EVERYTHING! Even the smallest things have become big in my eyes, not because they are spectacular or even remotely special. Because they’re really not. No, they are just ordinary things that are part of an ordinary life. But put them all together and see them from the perspective of where they come from and why….OH MY! They become something entirely different. Something wonderful and new. Something extraordinary. As I shared with you earlier in the week, little things make up the big things. Each one is a piece of the puzzle that creates a beautiful picture! That picture is one of love, grace, mercy, provision, protection, personal attention and so much more from a loving Father and a glorious Savior and Lord.

And for that picture, I’m extremely thankful.

What about you? Has these last few weeks changed how you see your world and your life?
.

Until next time…enjoy your at home world and remember to stay #IntentionallyThankful!

.

Related articles

]]>https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/day-28-and-beyond/feed/1neoscreationsSignatureDay 27 Of Being Intentionally Thankful – November 27, 2013https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/day-27-of-being-intentionally-thankful-november-27-2013/
https://athomewoman.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/day-27-of-being-intentionally-thankful-november-27-2013/#commentsThu, 28 Nov 2013 03:26:54 +0000http://athomewoman.wordpress.com/?p=1084]]>Today, I’m thankful for the joy on my son’s face and his infectious laughter as he has spent the entire evening watching The Peanuts Marathon on television.

Peanuts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I introduced him to Charlie Brown. Snoopy and the Peanuts gang several years ago and he’s been hooked ever since. Generally, unless there is a holiday themed episode on TV, we normally have to go to YouTube to watch these loveable characters. Not tonight though. Tonight, ABC Family channel started showing full length Peanuts movies at 4pm, showing one right after another, until 11pm. I can’t recall any network ever doing that!

Of course, being the push-over I am for that little face of my adorable (he looks like his dad) son, I gave in to his pleas to “watch every one of them all the way through”. But so did his dad. So there! LOL! FYI – We’re on the last movie now.

I honestly hope this becomes a yearly thing that this network (or another) does because it will make for a wonderful new tradition to include in our Thanksgiving holiday.

Until next time….enjoy your at home world and be #IntentionallyThankful